Police will implement the following special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave-sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Chung Yeung Festival.

Chai Wan
——–

     Roads in the vicinity of the cemeteries in Chai Wan will be closed in phases on October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 and November 3, 4, 11 and 17.

Phase I

     Vehicles will be allowed to use Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road (vehicles can turn left from Lin Shing Road to Cape Collinson Road leading to the vicinity of Chinese Permanent Cemetery) between 7am and 6pm daily on October 13, 20 and 27 and November 3, 4, and 11. Depending on the traffic conditions, Phase 2 road closure may be implemented during the period.

Phase II

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6.30pm daily on October 14, 21 and 28:

1. The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
2. The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
3. Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for green minibus(GMB) route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles, and vehicles with permit;
4. Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
5. Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit and vehicles to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate; and
6. Northbound Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.
     
     Depending on traffic conditions, taxis and public light buses (PLBs) may be allowed to enter Lin Shing Road and turn right to Cape Collinson Road. Traffic along Lin Shing Road cannot turn left to Cape Collinson Road.

Phase III

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 7pm on October 17:

1. The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
2. The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
3. Wan Tsui Lane;
4. Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
5. Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit; and
6. Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit and vehicles to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate.

     In connection with the above road closure, the following roads will be re-routed one way westbound:

1. Cape Collinson Road between the slip road to Crematorium and Shek O Road; and
2. The eastern section of Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.
     
     No parking will be permitted along Cape Collinson Road, Lin Shing Road, Shek O Road between Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution and Tai Tam Road, and Wan Tsui Road.

     In connection with the road closures as mentioned above, all taxis, public light buses and private cars heading for Cape Collinson Road cannot enter Lin Shing Road, except making access to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate. Affected vehicles will be allowed to set down passengers at the public light bus stand at Fei Tsui Road near its junction with Wan Tsui Road.

     Public light buses cannot pick up/set down passengers along Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.

     Depending on traffic conditions, public light buses may also be prohibited from entering Tai Tam Road from Chai Wan Road.

Pok Fu Lam
———-

     Consort Rise between Victoria Road and Bisney Road will be re-routed one-way southbound from 7am to 5pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20 and 21.

Aberdeen
——–

     The following roads will be closed from 7.30am to 5.30pm daily on October 13, 14, 20 and 21; and from 7.30am to 6.30pm on October 17:

1. Peel Rise in the vicinity of the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery; and
2. The slip road from Shek Pai Wan Road leading to the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery.

Central
——-

     Tramway Lane between Garden Road and the office of World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong will be closed from 8am to 8pm on October 17, except for taxis and franchised buses. Coaches must use the unnamed road between Garden Road and Cotton Tree Drive.

     All parking spaces on Tramway Lane, including motorcycle parking spaces and disabled parking spaces will be suspended between 6am and 8pm on October 17.

The Peak
——–

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented between 8am and 8pm on October 17:

1. All uphill traffic along Peak Road towards Harlech Road, Lugard Road and Mount Austin Road will be diverted downhill via the slip road beside the car park entrance of the Peak Galleria, except for residents’ vehicles or vehicles with permit,;
2. Lugard Road, Harlech Road and Mount Austin Road will be closed, except for residents’ vehicles and vehicles with permit;
3. Traffic control will be implemented at the entrance of Peak Galleria car park. The vehicular access to Mount Austin Road is restricted for local residents only;
4. All metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces on Mount Austin Road near Victoria Peak Garden will be suspended; and
5. Westbound Mount Austin Road between its junction with Peak Road and the entrance of Mount Austin Playground may be closed if necessary. As such, eastbound Mount Austin Road will be re-routed as one-lane two-way.

Diamond Hill
————

Road closure

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27 and 28, except for hearses and funeral vehicles:

1. The access road leading to the Diamond Hill Crematorium;
2. The access road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and the China Light and Power (CLP) Sub-station; and
3. The access road adjacent to the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour leading to Sze Chen Hall.

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27 and 28, except for private cars and taxis:

1. Yuk Hok Lane; and
2. Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road.
     
     Motorcycles will be allowed to use Yuk Hok Lane and Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road on October 27 and 28.

Traffic diversions

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented between 7am and 6pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27 and 28:

1. Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill can only enter or leave Fung Shing Street or Fu Shan Estate car park;
2. Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill can only enter or leave Grand View Garden car park;
3. Vehicles can turn left from eastbound Po Kong Village Road to westbound Yuk Wah Street via easternmost traffic lane of Tsz Wan Shan South Bus Terminus;
4. Traffic along westbound Fung Shing Street cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
5. Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to eastbound Fung Shing Street;
6. Traffic along Grand View Garden car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
7. Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Grand View Garden car park;
8. Traffic along Fu Shan Estate car park cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
9. Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to Fu Shan Estate car park;
10. Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Po Kong Village Road School Village car park;
11. Traffic leaving Po Kong Village Road School Village car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
12. Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane;
13. Traffic along the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
14. Vehicles leaving Tsz Wan Shan South Bus Terminus cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street, except for franchised buses; and
15. Traffic along Yuk Wah Crescent cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street.

Suspension of parking spaces

     The following parking spaces will be suspended between 7am and 6pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27 and 28:

1. Metered parking spaces on the unnamed road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and CLP Sub-station; and
2. Five metered parking spaces in Yuk Wah Street car park.

     Between 7am and 6pm on October 13, 14, 17, 20 and 21, motorcycle parking spaces in Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane will be suspended.

     Between 7am and 6pm on October 14, 17 and 21, Po Kong Village Road School Village car park will be closed, except for private cars and taxis.

Tseung Kwan O
————-

     The access road leading to Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed from 5.30am to 6pm daily on October 13, 14, 20, 21 and 28, and November 4, except for special bus service by Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) route 14S, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.
     
     The above road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 5.30am to 8pm on October 17.

     Grave-sweepers can reach the cemetery on foot via the access road on Ko Chiu Road or the footpath with staircases opposite to MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station. Wheelchair users are advised to enter the cemetery via the access road on Ko Chiu Road.

Sai Kung
——–

     A section of Mang Kung Wo Road leading to Kei Pik Shan Cemetery in Sai Kung will be closed from 8am to 5pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20 and 21, except for vehicles with permit.

Wo Hop Shek
———–

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented on October 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27 and　28:

Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 6am to 5pm daily:

1. Kiu Tau Road, except for hearses;
2. Ming Yin Road, except for franchised buses;
3. Wo Ka Lau Road; and
4. All access roads within Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

Traffic diversions

     Traffic along northbound Pak Wo Road outside Fung Ying Seen Koon cannot turn right to southbound Pak Wo Road, and traffic along southbound Pak Wo Road outside MTR Fanling Station cannot turn right to the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon.

Suspension of parking spaces

     The following car parks will be closed and parking spaces will be suspended between 7am and 5pm daily:

1. The car park on Wo Hing Road near Ming Yin Road roundabout, except for taxis;
2. The car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon, except for disabled parking spaces, and public buses of the residents’ service route no. NR112; and
3. All parking spaces on Wah Ming Lane.

     Depending on the situation, the Police may exercise discretion to allow vehicles carrying the elderly and disabled passengers to make use of the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon for interchange with the buses heading for Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

Sandy Ridge
———–

     The Frontier Closed Area from Lo Wu Station to Lo Wu Station Road will be open to grave-sweepers between 6am and 6pm daily from October 6 to 28.

     The following roads will be closed from 6am to 6pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27 and 28:

1. Lo Wu Station Road from its junction with Man Kam To Road to a point of about 280 metres west near the cemetery management office, except for vehicles of Lo Wu Village residents and vehicles allowed to park at the car park of MTR Lo Wu Station; and
2. Sha Ling Road, except for vehicles of Sha Ling residents.

Sha Tin
——-

     The following roads will be closed from 8am to 6pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20 and 21:

1. Lower Shing Mun Road between Yau On Street and Fu Shan Crematorium, Yau On Street and Yau Ting Street, except for hearses, funeral vehicles, GMB route no. 64K and residents’ vehicles of Pak Tin Areas 2 to 5 and Lakeview Garden; and
2. Pai Tau Street west of its junction with Sheung Wo Che Road.

To Fung Shan
————

     To Fung Shan Road north of its junction with Pak Lok Path will be closed from 9am to 5pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20 and 21, except for vehicles serving residents and persons working in To Fung Shan, and shuttle bus service plying between To Fung Shan and Tai Wai Station.

Tuen Mun
——–

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 7pm daily on October 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27 and　28:

Road closure

     Tsing San Path and the access roads leading to Ching Chung Koon and Ching Chung Sin Yuen will be closed.

Traffic diversions

1. Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road will be re-routed one-way northbound; and
2. San Fuk Road between Leung Shun Street and Tsing Chung Koon Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

     No parking will be permitted along San Fuk Road, Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Chung Path and San Fuk Road, Tsing Lun Road between Tsun Wen Road and the northern vehicle entrance of Tuen Mun Hospital, and southbound Tsun Wen Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road.

Tin Shui Wai
————

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 8.45am to 4pm on October 14 and 17:

1. Deep Bay Road will be re-routed one-way northbound and Mong Tseng San Road will be re-routed one-way southbound, except for GMB route no. 35 and vehicles leaving residential and business premises on the stretch of Deep Bay Road between Lau Fau Shan Roundabout and Mong Tseng San Road;
2. Traffic along southbound Deep Bay Road will be re-directed to Mong Tseng San Road at the junction of Deep Bay Road and Mong Tseng San Road; and
3. The slip road from Tin Ying Road to Tin Yuet Road will be closed.

Tsuen Wan
———

     Lo Wai Road between Lo Wai Pai Lau and Yuen Yuen Institute will be closed from 8am to 5pm daily on October 14, 17 and 21, except for franchised buses, taxis, GMBs and vehicles with permit.

Kwai Tsing
———-

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 5pm daily on October 14, 17, 21 and 28, and when necessary on any other dates:

1. Southbound Wing Tak Street from the entrance of City Point to its junction with Wing Shun Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, taxis and GMBs;
2. Wing Yin Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, taxis and GMBs;
3. Wing Shun Street between Wing Tak Street and Kwai Hei Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, taxis and GMBs;
4. Wing Kei Road between Kwai Hei Street and Wing Kin Road will be re-routed one-way southbound. Vehicles must enter Wing Kei Road from Wing Kin Road; and
5. Wing Chong Street, Wing Hau Street and Wing Lap Street will be closed.

     In addition, Wing Yin Street and Wing Hau Street will be closed, from 7am to 5pm daily on October 13, 20 and 27, and November 3 and 4, except for hearses and franchised buses.

     All vehicles parked illegally will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Grave-sweepers should use public transport as far as possible. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 12) reminded people paying their respects to ancestors at graveyards in the countryside during the Chung Yeung Festival period to exercise caution and prevent hill fires.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said it is an offence under the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap 96) to burn incense improperly or leave behind kindling in the countryside. Any person who contravenes the ordinance is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and one year's imprisonment.
 
     "The AFCD will deploy staff and enforcement officers to patrol graveyards in the countryside during the Chung Yeung Festival period. Those who are found breaching the law will be prosecuted," the spokesman said.
 
     The majority of hill fires in the territory are caused by human negligence. Accidents can be prevented if grave sweepers observe some simple guidelines:
 
* Remove weeds around graves using tools and never burn weeds with fire;
* Burning should only be done inside a container or iron bucket;
* Never leave burning incense unattended; and
* Make sure all kindling is put out before leaving.
 
     The spokesman said that metal containers will be handed out at suitable locations in the country parks to help grave sweepers burn their offerings properly during the Chung Yeung Festival, adding that barbecues should only be carried out at designated sites in the country parks.
 
     The AFCD will deploy additional country park wardens to step up the fire prevention efforts. They will patrol hill fire black spots and distribute hill fire prevention leaflets together with the Fire Services Department, the Police and the Civil Aid Service. Volunteer teams from the Hong Kong Hiking Association, China and the Scout Association of Hong Kong will visit grave sweeping areas and hiking trails to disseminate hill fire prevention messages to the public.
 
     The spokesman also reminded members of the public to keep the countryside clean. Before leaving, grave sweepers and barbecue site users should clean up the site and not leave offerings or rubbish behind. As at October 7 the AFCD had issued fixed penalty notices to 115 persons for littering in country parks this year.

     A man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan was located.

     Tsang Tsz-kit, aged 24, went missing after he was last seen at the junction of Cheung Wah Street and Un Chau Street on September 15 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on October 9.

     The man was located in a hospital on Kwai Chung Hospital Road yesterday afternoon (October 11).

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, on abolishing the "offsetting" arrangement under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme and maternity leave after attending a radio programme on "The Chief Executive's 2018 Policy Address" this morning (October 12):
 
Reporter: Mr Law, can you speak about the legislative timetable for the scrapping of the MPF "offsetting" mechanism? My second question is about maternity leave because the HA has announced yesterday that it would very soon, it seems that it would very soon implement the extended maternity leave following the footstep of the government. Do you hope other statutory bodies to follow the government's footstep as soon as possible?
 
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: We definitely welcome all employers to follow the practice of the government in the civil service, that is to extend the maternity leave from 10 weeks to 14 weeks. If they can afford, I would actually ask them if they can do more and the more, the better. So looking at what the response is from various bodies – in fact some employers are doing more than 14 weeks already – we will encourage all employers in Hong Kong to consider before the implementation of the amendment of the legislation on maternity leave if they can do a step very much like what the Hong Kong Government is doing right now. That would be better.
 
Reporter: How about the legislative timetable in scrapping the MPF "offsetting" mechanism?
 
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: As for the timetable in abolishing the "offsetting" mechanism for MPF and the severance payment and long service payment, we will try our very best to complete the drafting of the legislative amendment. However, because I would consider this as a complicated amendment, we should allow the Legislative Council (LegCo) sufficient time to go over the bill and to deal with some of those controversial parts of the bill. Therefore, if we can't table the bill before the end of 2019 or end of next year, it will be unlikely for the bill to be passed before this term of the Legislative Council. We then have to wait until the election of LegCo members in 2020. Hopefully if we can complete the legislative process before 2021, then it will take another two years for us to implement the whole thing. Then the earliest time for the implementation would be 2023.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (October 13).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.